Effects of different sensory inputs on the median-derived somatosensory evoked potential

We studied the effect of a variety of "interfering" stimuli on the median-derived somatosensory evoked potentials recorded over Erb's point, cervical spine, and scalp. We found that the amplitude of N20 and P27 recorded over the scalp was attenuated by active movement, vibration, and tactile stimulation of the ipsilateral hand but not by passive movement. Cervical and peripheral responses were unaffected. The pathophysiologic basis and clinical significance of these findings are discussed.